My Madagascar

Antananarivo, Central Madagascar. Roughly 3 million people live in this area.

My husband and I, together with friends from another church in South Africa, went to visit Madagascar. Our purpose was to encourage a local church with whom we have a close relationship; to come alongside its pastors and help enlarge the understanding of healthy families and healthy marriages. We spend many moments in the sturdy typical tough-for-Africa Toyota truck talking about these topics, sharing the challenges our society and cultures place on the health of God's family. It was a privilege to spend time with pastors who are not only incredibly wise but also dear friends. I listened and learnt a lot! 

... and yes, it was especially a privilege to get to hang out with my own wise pastor aka my husband.  [Sure it's cheesy, but I just HAD to say it ;-)!! ]

(And also, many many thanks to our incredible friends who looked after our kids back home.)

Before I get stuck on some really good conversation points, let me firstly introduce you to my Madagascan experience:

Friendly smiles in different shades.

Friendships formed cross cultural.

Hansel & Gretel houses with clay tiles and steep rooftops. Dilapidated.

Custom made wooden doors.

Tuscan walls with orange blossom creepers. Next to a homeless. Contrast.

Cobblestone roads. Bikes. Scooters. Push-push cars. Wagons with donkeys. Cream Citroen taxis, a remnant from the french influence.

Duck breast with foie gras.

Pomme frites.

Rice paddies. Scattered from inner cities to countryside. Dark green. Lime green. Brown.

Muddy rivers slithering through a frumpled-up countryside. Mountainous. Breath taking beauty.

Crisp mornings and dusty afternoons.

Translators.

Communication interruptions.

Laughter.

I loved every moment.

Many thanks to Tana City Church and its elders. You guys rock!

Vanilla yogurt and strawberry jam ice cream. Possibly the best ice cream I have ever eaten!

"Where the streets have no name..." U2 song. So true of Antananarivo where there are no visible street names!